Just a few thoughts on the way we draw near to the Lord:
Hebrews 10:22
NKJV
let
us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
having
our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience
and
our bodies washed with pure water.
NLT
let
us go right into the presence of God
with
sincere hearts fully trusting him.
For
our guilty consciences have been sprinkled
with
Christ’s blood to make us clean,
and
our bodies have been washed with pure water.
• Worshipers have hearts that draw near
Ps. 73:28
says that it is good for us to draw near to the Lord; and James 4:8 tells us
that when we draw near to the Lord, He draws near to us. Worshipers must be
those who are always seeking to draw near to the Lord. We have the privilege of
going right into the presence of God - worship is a journey into
His presence.
• Worshipers have hearts that are true
The Lord looks into the intentions and depths of our hearts - not just our words. The Greek word for the word "true." is alethinos which means real or genuine. True worship piurs out of a true heart. It is one thing to praise God with our lips and actions, but the Lord is looking into our hearts. We might lift our voices and hands to worship Him, but make sure these are an truthful outflow of the passion of your true heart.
• Worshipers have hearts filled with faith
Worshipers know that without faith it is impossible to please God - this verse in Hebrew 11:6 shows us the relationship between faith and worship: But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who
diligently seek Him.
This verse could correctly say: ...for he who comes to worship God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek to worship Him.
We often think that faith is primarily about believing hard enough to receive things form the Lord, but the beginning of our faith is in giving ourselves to Him.
• Worshipers have hearts that are sprinkled with the blood of Jesus
In the Old Testament, the priests would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice as they would enter into the presence of God. Sin has separated man from God, and He has determined that pure sacrificial blood would make a way for us to enter in to His presence. The blood of animals sacrifices in the Old Testament could only cover sin...but the blood of the perfect sacrificial Lamb - Jesus - completely removes our sin and makes a way for us to be righteous and able to draw near to the Father. There is no sin that is ugly or powerful enough to escape the cleansing power of Christ's blood. Worshipers have access to the holy place because of Calvary. As we see in this verse, even sins of the heart and conscience are cleansed by the blood of Jesus.
• Worshipers have hearts that are washed in water
In the Old Testament times, the priests would offer a blood sacrifice, and then wash themselves in the water - found in the laver. When Jesus was on the cross, His side was pierced and blood and water flowed from Him. We have the cleansing from the blood and also the pure water. Our lives are justified by the blood, and sanctified by the water or Word of God (Eph. 5:26).
Maybe it is the blood that takes us up the hill to the presence of God, and the water that takes us into His holy place...to His face:
Ps. 24:3-4
Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart…
